Several years ago I dabbled with commuting by bike to work. It was hard work and a bit dangerous at times but overall I quite honestly enjoyed it. I’m not sure why and I bet I could fathom up some several ethereal reasons for this twisted fantasy but bottom line still remains that I enjoyed it.
For the past several months the possibility of again committing this southern sin has nagged inside me incessantly. Every time I rationalize it away with the myriad of reasons why I should not commute (ie, twice the distance, I currently have no bike, longer travels times, and then that whole safety thing) the same query comes back to tempt me again and again but with a renewed vigor and better reasons than before.
Me: It’s too far!
Other Me: No it’s not. It’s only farther than before.
Me: This is the heart of NASCAR; It’s not safe.
Other Me: It’s safe enough for those other guys, plus there’s the bus lines for added safety & relief.
Me: What about the added travel time impinging on my already tight schedule?
Other Me: Details. Details. Prioritize your life. You already know you’re over-booked.
Me: But I don’t have a bike nor the means to get one right now.
Other Me: Details. Details. Prioritize your finances. You already spend too much on gas anyway.
And then the diatribe repeats, though the details of each round vary from time to time. Basically, I can’t get the idea out of my head! It’s very persistence is added credence to the claim that I should commute. Oh, I don’t know; one reason says yes, another reason says no and both have equal validity in my weary mind. Why won’t this idea leave me alone?
I don’t even know if I’m asking for input or just venting. At either rate, I have just filled another 300+ words. I have a feeling, though, that I will continue to “think out loud” on this subject from time to time till either a resounding yes or no is declared. At the moment the yeses are stronger than my no, but then again I’ve always had a hard time saying no.
